Arrhythmia Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of an arrhythmia, it’s important to make an
appointment with a cardiologist​. You may also want to see an
electrophysiologist​ ­– a cardiologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment
of heart rhythm disorders.

At Hoag, our multidisciplinary team of cardiac experts specializes in arrhythmia
management​ with the latest technologies available to accurately diagnose
and treat all types of arrhythmia. The first of its kind in Orange County, the new
Allan & Sandy Fainbarg Electrophysiciology Cath Lab Suite enables physicians and clinicians to use ground-breaking technology within
a comfortable patient-centered environment to diagnose the full spectrum
of arryhtmia and other cardiac problems.

Some tests that may be done to confirm the presence of an irregular heart
rhythm, or other underlying heart condition, include:
Electrocardiogram (EKG)

In an EKG, doctors place sensor patches (electrodes) on your skin to measure
the electrical impulses given off by your heart. An EKG measures the timing
and rhythm of each electrical phase in your heartbeat.

An electrophysiology study (EPS) is an invasive test that uses catheters
to precisely map the spread of electrical impulses throughout the heart,
enabling physicians to locate the specific areas of heart tissue that
give rise to the abnormal electrical impulses that cause arrhythmias.
During the test, the arrhythmia can be safely reproduced and terminated.
In many cases, the study is an electrical test drive to see if the heart
has the tendency to go into potentially dangerous rhythms that require
treatment.

This test uses high frequency sound waves, called ultrasound, to create
detailed images of your heart's size, structure and motion to determine
if there is heart muscle or valve disease that may be causing an arrhythmia.
There are several types of echocardiography that may be utilized to confirm
arrhythmia and determine the best course of treatment.

In addition to the standard electrocardiography, your doctor may recommend
other specialized tests, including ambulatory EKG monitoring such as an
event recorder. This is a portable device that individuals can activate
when they experience symptoms. The information is then used to help physicians
diagnose arrhythmia.

A Holter monitor is a small, wearable devise that records your heart rhythm
over a one to three day period. During that time, the device continually
records your heartbeat. A Holter monitor test is usually performed after
a traditional test to check your heart rhythm (such as EKG) doesn’t
provide conclusive information regarding the heart's condition.

A stress test is often utilized to record arrhythmias that start, or are
worsened with exercise. This test can also help in determining if there
is underlying heart disease, or coronary artery disease associated with
an arrhythmia. During the test, the heart is monitored by an EKG (or other
tests) as the patient exercises on a treadmill or stationary bicycle.